The French Open, the second Major of the season, will kick off with an action-packed day on Sunday. There are 20 first-round matches on the schedule and, as ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Naomi Osaka vs Patricia Maria Tig, Ana Konjuh vs Aryna Sabalenka, Victoria Azarenka vs Svetlana Kuznetsova and Amanda Anisimova vs Veronika Kudermetova. Making their picks for this group of matches are Jim Smith, David Gertler and Andrew Watson.
French Open Day 1 Predictions
Paula Badosa vs Lauren Davis
Jim: Paula Badosa will be one of the players to watch over the next two weeks with the Spaniard in the form of her life after reaching the semifinals in Madrid and winning the title in Belgrade. But this match will not be the acid test of her credentials, with Davis in indifferent form at best.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Andrew: Badosa has sneaked into many tipsters’ dark horse slot for the tournament. A little boost into the seeded positions in the weak fourth quarter has done her chances no harm whatsoever and I see her being able to get past Davis comfortably enough. The American would much prefer a faster surface so this is a poor match up for her.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
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Greet Minnen vs Petra Kvitova
Jim: Petra Kvitova has not quite hit the heights so far this season, but the Czech has enjoyed a solid clay-court campaign, reaching the quarterfinals in Stuttgart and Madrid. Her only real misstep came in Rome, where she crashed out in the second round. But even if she is not at her best here, it is hard to see Greet Minnen offering much resistance, with the Belgian lacking the firepower or the footspeed to really trouble Kvitova.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Andrew: Minnen is going to struggle to get anywhere near the Kvitova power game. Though the Belgian’s movement is good and technique generally sound I can’t see how she breaks often enough and holds her own serve to win this match.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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Elena Vesnina vs Olga Govortsova
Jim: Elena Vesnina has had a career that would be the envy of most players, but it is surely now coming to its conclusion, at least in singles. Her recent forays in that discipline have yielded few positive results, with the Russian losing both matches she has played since returning from maternity leave. Up against the qualifier Govortsova, expect that unwanted streak to continue.
Prediction: Govortsova in 2
David: Vesnina is making her comeback to the WTA Tour, but in the two singles matches she’s played since coming back, she hasn’t won over 4 games in a set in either match. Olga Govortsova is into the main draw as a lucky loser, but she did have an impressive win in qualifying against Jana Fett. Ultimately, I don’t think Vesnina is ready to be playing singles at this level yet, and Govortsova is good enough to take advantage.
Prediction: Govortsova in 2
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Diane Parry vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Jim: Diane Parry clearly has a bright future and the Frenchwoman’s one-handed backhand is sure to win her plenty of fans in the years to come. But she currently looks slightly out of her depth in the senior ranks, at least at tour-level. Thus, although Sasnovich may not have been at her best lately, she should have too much for the teenager.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Andrew: Will the French crowd have an effect for Parry here? She will probably need some help to get through the match, but I still back Sasnovich to do enough to progress here with the Belarusian the more complete and experienced player.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 2
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